Written by Natascha Crandall, PhD. - Educational Curriculum Consultant

Parenting is incredibly hard work. That’s not exactly breaking news. With our focus and energies devoted entirely to taking care of and raising our little ones, it’s natural and understandable to forget about our own needs. Sleep, exercise and healthy eating all begin to sound like selfish luxuries, brushed aside as something we don’t have time for…or something we’ll get to later. 

But self-care should not be viewed as an indulgence. Rather, it’s just the opposite. It’s a necessity. Self-care is not about escaping from your responsibilities or neglecting your children. It’s about taking care of yourself – and making time for yourself – so that you can be a better parent and be better equipped to take care of those little people you love with all your heart.

A parent who is well rested, eats healthy, exercises, maintains adult relationships and asks for help when they need it is far better able to be the best parent they can be. Emotional activities like practicing gratitude, mindfulness, compassion, and forgiveness are also part of self-care. And don’t forget about spiritual activities like meditating, praying, or connecting with nature. Taking time for self-care ensures that you will be more present and in the moment for your children.

Your children are watching you, observing and modeling your behaviors. If your children see you taking care of yourself, and expressing that you are doing things “just for me,” they will learn to do the same for themselves. They will also learn to respect your needs and boundaries as well as their own. By practicing self-care regularly, you will not only improve your own health and happiness but also that of your children.

At Zoonicorn, our stories focus on optimism and resilience. Young children watching our episodes are able to see how the Zoonicorns employ these fundamental developmental milestones to conquer difficult dilemmas and overcome stubborn challenges. As parents, we need to internalize optimism and resilience as well. If we are exhausted, stressed out and impatient, we will be less effective as parents and less able to model optimism and resilience and our children are going to see that.

There are always going to be moments as parents when we feel like we are pushed to our limits and the tank is empty. We’re only human after all. Self-care can help you replenish your energy, focus, and positivity. Self-care can also help you reduce stress hormones, relax your body, and calm your mind.

Remember that you don’t have to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight. Start with one small change, like closing your eyes, putting your hand on your heart and taking ten deep breaths when in a difficult moment.   Make a conscious effort and then  stick with it until it becomes a habit. It also helps to schedule these moments for yourself. Put it into your calendar like any other appointment. That way you know you have it blocked off. Finally, you don’t have to practice self-care alone. You could take a workshop with other parents. You can also do some family activities that everyone enjoys like playing games or watching movies. You could even consider sitting down and watching Zoonicorn as a family. It might just help all of you discover the power of optimism and resilience when caring for everyone in your Zooniverse.